Do you have a pillows on your bed? If so, then you already know how significantly it can improve your comfort. But, are these things even necessary in your bedroom?
It might come as a surprise to you, but not everyone uses a pillow every night. In fact, some, especially the side sleepers, prefer to place one between their legs rather than beneath their heads. Of course, sleeping with a pillow between your legs has its benefits, but one can also use one to raise their heads at the same time.
Most people were brought up using pillows and find it awkward to sleep without one. On the other hand, there are those who find it quite uncomfortable raising their head while lying down. Similarly, some people enjoy using buckwheat pillow, while others don’t subscribe to the idea of firm pillows. It’s more of a personal preference, and there’s no right or wrong way of conducting one’s self. However, there a lot of science-based advantages of having a pillow on your bed.
Before embarking on today’s topic regarding firm pillows, have a look first at some of their benefits.
A. Enhance Sleeping Posture
Most of the people who don’t use pillows are those who sleep on their stomach. In this posture, your head and body are already linear to each other. Therefore, the addition of a pillow could make things worse, rather than enhancing your comfort. However, if you’re a side sleeper, then your head may not be linear to each other, which is a dangerous position.
Comfort can be defined from various angles, but one factor that matters the most while lying down is the position of your discs and all soft tissues. Without a pillow, a side sleeper will have their head positioned lower than the average body position. As such, one’s likely to develop neck pains, which can easily escalate to bigger issues.
Pillows ensure that your head is raised to the same horizontal line as the rest of the body. This ensures that your discs, nerves, and muscles aren’t stressed. Instead of pillows, some people may opt for adjustable bed mattress, which also does the trick.
B. Improve Sleep
This might not be an issue with other types of sleepers, but a side sleeper will usually find it quite uncomfortable sleeping without a pillow. Such a situation can deprive you of a good night’s sleep. You’re likely to wake up several times through the night; needless to say, this will have huge repercussions on your daily productivity.
With a well-designed pillow, however, your muscles will be relaxed throughout the night. As such, there’ll be no stress on any area of your body, giving your mind a peaceful time. More often than not, a good sleep translates to a highly productive mind.
Types Of Pillows
Like any other product, you’ll not find just one type of pillow in the market. There are several brands that have introduced their products, all while claiming to provide better experience to the users. Whether these claims are true or not depend on many things, one of which is the material used to design those pillows. Millet pillows, for instance, are filled mainly with millet hulls and natural wool, making them firm but comfortable at the same time. Again, this has everything to do with personal preference and affordability.
Currently, there are generally two types of pillows in the market: soft and firm. Both of them are useful and beneficial in their own rights. As such, you can use either of them, and they’ll both accomplish the same purpose. But, as you’d expect, some people are comfortable using soft pillows, while others prefer the firm ones. But, of course, one would have to test both types to know the one that perfectly fits their needs.
If you’ve found firmer pillows to be ideal for your sleeping, then this article is for you. Below are some of the benefits of using firm pillows. Read on!
Reasons To Invest In Firm Pillows
Are you still unsure about whether to invest in firmer pillows or continue using your current ones? Well, here are some of the reasons that can make you more decisive on the subject:
1. They Don’t Give In To Pressure
The main reason for buying a pillow is to offer support for your head or legs. As you lie on the pillow, you exert a lot of pressure on it, and that’s where good and poor products are determined. You wouldn’t want a pillow that flattens out whenever they’re put under a lot of pressure. Remember, as you sleep on your bed, all parts of the body are relaxed, and whatever is beneath you should be able to support them.
Inasmuch as soft pillows are comfortable to some people, the fact that they easily give in to pressure makes them less effective for those people who genuinely need to support their head. Most soft pillows are known to gradually lose their thickness through the night. At one point, your head will have moved somewhat lower than the average horizontal position of your body. As such, your neck will be left in an uncomfortable position, which can affect your health.
A firm pillow, however, is resistant to compression and can’t flatten beyond a given point. As such, your head will receive consistent support and will remain in line with your body throughout the night.
2. They Conform To Your Head’s Shape
Yes, they’re firm; but that’s not to say they can’t change their shape. Most firm pillows have been designed in a way that they can easily conform to the shape of your head and the position of your neck. Of course, not all firm pillows have this feature, and it becomes a problem in the long run.
Inasmuch as your body requires support from something firm, a hard surface can lead to a lot of pain. Well, that’s the case with some firm pillows, especially the substandard ones. However, the majority of them readjust their shape depending on how you position your head. As such, the weight in this area of your body is distributed evenly across the pillow.
Soft pillows may be able to provide this feature, but why are they not the most ideal in that regard? You guessed it right! They tend to lose their shape quite easily. Therefore, after some time, the weight will be unevenly distributed, and you might start feeling pain on the upper end of your body.
3. Durability
The firmness of these pillows isn’t only beneficial in terms of support, but also helps in their durability. Generally, firm pillows tend to serve you for quite a long time. It is, however, worth noting that this highly depends on the material used to make them. For instance, if you compare the satisfaction that consumers get when they use latex-based and cotton-based pillows, then you’ll get the full picture.
Historically, latex pillows have been known to be more long-lasting than their cotton counterparts. As you prepare to get your new firm pillow, make sure you buy it from a reputable dealer or a renowned manufacturer. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits mentioned in this article without compromise. Some might claim that their products are made of latex, yet they’ve used other fillings to make the pillows firmer.
4. Most Are Allergen-Free
As earlier mentioned, not all pillows are the same or are made from the same raw materials. Therefore, not all of them will meet your desired needs. But, one thing is for sure, most firm pillows are created using allergen-free materials. If you’re prone to allergic reactions, then latex, buckwheat, and memory foam pillows are some of the ideal options you might want to consider. To learn more about buckwheat pillows, watch this
Many people have reported cases of allergic reactions while using various pillows. In fact, firm pillows aren’t exempt from such cases. However, if your main consideration has to do with allergies, then you have high chances of getting something that meets these needs when you invest in firm pillows. The reason why this isn’t a far-fetched claim is because most famous firm pillows are made from materials that contain no allergens.
5. Most Are Breathable
You would like something that allows sufficient airflow, wouldn’t you? Most pillow manufacturers today have integrated this feature in their products with the hope of meeting all consumer demands. Because of their design and the materials used to make them, most firm pillows offer great airflow beneath your body.
See, one misconception about firm pillows is the idea that their design blocks air circulation. On the contrary, however, these products are designed to allow regular flow of heat and air out of your body. As such, your body will remain cool throughout the night, which is a comfortable experience.
6. Hygienic
Everyone wants a comfortable sleep, and that’s their main reason for buying pillows. But, have you ever thought about your hygiene? This is one thing that’s rarely considered, yet it’s very crucial. Regular pillows might meet your needs, but not all of them are hygienic in the long run. Why is that so?
Remember, as you sleep, you also release sweat to your beddings. Your pillow will definitely soak in this fluid, and that’s why they need cleaning. Well, that’s where the problem comes in. With regular pillows, there isn’t much you can do apart from washing the covers because these products are typically enclosed. Therefore, trying to access the interior might mean destroying the whole thing.
Most firm pillows, on the other hand, aren’t permanently enclosed. That means you can clean almost every area including the sides. If you’ve opted for water pillows, then you might enjoy even more hygiene. Water pillows are refillable, which is quite a huge advantage in that regard.
7. Environmentally Friendly
Again, this isn’t something that applies to all firm pillows, but, at least, it’s shared by most of them. These pillows are made from materials that not only meet the consumers’ demands, but also keep the environment safe for everyone. That said, go through some of the main materials used in the production of firm pillows below.
What Materials Are Used To Make Firm Pillows?
So, you’ve decided that firmer pillows are good for your comfort and health. But, what are these products made of? How will you know the one that fits your needs? And, are all firm pillows the same?
To answer that last question, no firm pillow is exactly the same as the other. The main factor that brings about these differences is the material used to make each one of them. Here are some of the most popular pillow categories based on the material used:
- Latex Pillows
Traditionally, latex pillows are products of hevea-brasilienis rubber tree’s sap. However, today, you’re likely to come across synthetic latex pillows that are manufactured using styrene-butadiene rubber.
- Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam pillows are other popular products and they’re made from viscoelastic polyurethane. Originally, these were used in wheelchair cushions because of their moldable nature.
- Water Pillows
As the name suggests, these are based on water. A sealable elastic bag is designed and then filled with water. This increases its inner pressure, which, then, will be able to support your weight. The disadvantage, however, is the bounce that comes with water molecules and the fact that it can’t be molded.
Takeaway Points
Not all people like the same things, and that’s why there’s quite a variety of products even in the pillow industry. All types of pillows are equally important to their users, but some sleepers could benefit more from using firmer ones. These pillows offer enough support for the head and neck areas of a side sleeper. The fact that most of them adjust to the shape of your head means you’ll rarely suffer neck pains. With relaxed muscles and well-aligned discs, you can enjoy a comfortable sleep, with no complications.
However, keep in mind that not all firm pillows are good for firm sleepers. Some are too firm and might cause more problems than solutions, while others aren’t firm enough to support your weight. Therefore, make sure you do prior research before embarking on your shopping spree.